We are in danger of regarding Christ’s ministers simply as men, not recognizing them as representatives of Him. All personal considerations should be laid aside; we must listen for the word of God through His ambassadors. Christ is ever sending messages to those who listen for His voice. On the night of our Saviour’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane the sleeping disciples heard not the voice of Jesus; they had a dim sense of the angel’s presence, but lost the power and glory of the scene by drowsiness and stupor, and thus failed to receive the evidence which would have strengthened their souls for the terrible scenes before them. Thus the very men who most need divine instruction often fail to receive it because they do not place themselves in communication with heaven. Satan is ever seeking to impress and control the mind, and none of us are safe except as we have a constant connection with God. We must momentarily receive supplies from heaven, and if we would be kept by the power of God we must be obedient to all His requirements. {4T 542.1}

Brødre, hvis I knytter jeres sjæle til Gud med levende tro; vil han gøre jer til magtfulde mennesker. Hvis I stoler på jeres egen styrke og visdom, vil I med sikkerhed dumpe ned. Det er ikke behageligt for Gud at I har så lidt interesse i religiøs tjeneste. I er typiske mennesker og som sådanne, udøver I en bredere indflydelse end personer i mindre fremtrædende stillinger. I bør altid først søge Guds rige og hans retfærdighed. I bør være aktive, interesserede medarbejdere i menigheden, opdyrke jeres religiøse evner og holde jeres egne sjæle i Guds kærlighed. Heri har Herren krav på jer, som I ikke så let kan ignorere; enten må I vokse i nåden eller blive dværge og forkrøblede i åndelige (542) sager. Det er ikke kun dit privilegium men din pligt, at frembære vidnesbyrdet for Kristus, hvorhenne og hvornår du kan; og ved at bruge sindet på den måde, vil du opelske en kærlighed for hellige ting.